Question:
Haven't heard ya say...so was just wondering. How's things going for you at WSE? You haven't kept us posted.
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"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
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"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
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Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
Oh I posted on Lori's thing and was getting ready to get u all posted here. Hmmmm my time out this lasttime was alright. I can honestly say that I have seen a body part laying on the side of the road. It was not a great sight either. I have seen many things such as, a man yanking himself off, two butts in the window (go figure Philly ppl), some truck driver driving bare a** naked down the road and asked me if I wanted to see his weiner. Only to see a weiner dog he held up while driving down the road. I never thought I'd see a severed leg between W.Memphis and Memphis on I40. Weird thing was, it all happened in front of the scale house. I don't have a clue as to why the person got hit, but there is no doubt in my mind he/she didn't survive. I came to a conclusion that the road is a dangerous place, a land mine waiting to go off and everyone is a victim.
I had a blackhawk pilot tell me one night while driving to Virginia not to long ago that he envied me. To this day I still don't know why he said that. I have alot of ppl tell me that I envy them. I am just doing my job, a job I've been wanting to do for soooo long. I am not the best of the best, but I get the job done in a professional safe manner. Oh wait did I say professional. I along with all other drivers learn day to day. So how can we be catergorized as professionals. I am sure I will see many more and bizzare things happen out there, but I am just sitting back and waiting.
I was supposed to have a load going out on this Saturday, but unfortunatly there was nothing. So I got a load out for Monday going to Phoenix. I'm not complaining, last month I got a load going to California on the Southern Route. Pretty good miles and my FM is the best of the best. Just goes to show, if you give respect you get it. NOO that is not the only trip I made. Even though I was laid over in Waco for a few days I still ended up with over 12,000 miles I believe.
Other then the regular ole Sunday drivers and idiot drivers, everything is just about the same.
I have one rule of thumb for newbies, I consider myself a newbie even though I've been at this for over a year now. Holiday season is and has approached. Use the goal system, use your brain and always always double check in the mirrors. Your life and others are more important then hurrying to get to a shipper, receiver or even a t/s. Take your time and if your gonna be late you should have left hours before.
I'd really like to meet some of you out on the road. Maybe now that I have a laptop with internet through my cell phone company, we can stay better in touch.
I'm thinking of getting and installing the GPS on laptop. 100 bucks is not a bad price to keep me off the NOWHERE roads in the US. Can anyone tell me where I might get the better deals.
That is all for now,
Peace and Goodwill to our Men and Women drivers. May Peace rest upon our military men and women.
NONO

Answer:
Originally posted by Sweet Whiskey:
I'm thinking of getting and installing the GPS on laptop. 100 bucks is not a bad price to keep me off the NOWHERE roads in the US. Can anyone tell me where I might get the better deals.
Check out the High Tech Trucking post by Buzzdog. There's a lot of good info in that thread.
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
**************************
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
Ok today my FM gave me a PP to go to Van Nuys,CA and pick up a load of Beer. No big deal I love LA and the traffic is nothing but a thing anymore. I just hummmm and get to see birds fly like crazy at me (you know what kind of birds I'm talking about). Then I started reading the rest of the PP. As I scrolled down, I took a deep breath and held on for dear life "LONG ISLAND, NY". Ok, ok I'm gonna take the offer, after all it's over 3000 miles. I messaged my fm back and said "UMMM that is Long Island, NY, ok wish me luck." I am soo glad she has confidence in me, because I always hearhorror stories about the city and so forth. I have 5 days after I pick it up to deliver. That is pushing it, but I am sure I can do it with no problems. The one problem is that I have only done upstate NY and not the city. I am terrified and so on. I am just wondering, if some of you that have driven in the "city" can give me some pointers and such.
Peace and Goodwill,
Sweet

Answer:
good to hear you are doing good, keep up the good work and safe driving out there, i hope i do as good as you are at driving

Answer:
Long Island aint that bad at all(except for that never ending construction at the interchange to the LIE(long island expressway) It can get downright ugly....take plenty of toll money(if you dont have e-z pass) and there aint no truckstops out there(that i ever found) But most of my deliveries on the island were out and back quickies
Best advice for just getting thru the city and out onto the island.....wee hours of the morning
Good Luck and make it fun
CD
"I dont like small cars or real big women,but somehow I always find my self in 'em" (Kid Rock) recovering dweller..........oilfield trash division

Answer:
My trainer and I are heading there as soon as the truck can move again. Should have been there yesterday!
So...let us know how it goes for you!

Answer:
The other day when I dropped off in Phoenix was a joke. Shamrock took 8 hrs before they even touched me. Then when I finally got unloaded I had 10 cases of subway meat that was rejected. I don't know how I got that many cases rejected, but 2 of the cases were damaged of theirs. The other cases didn't even belong to them. SO I call in to night dp and let them know. They told me to get rid of the damage. Well, it is a tyson load and I wasn't about to do that. So I drove into Fontana and went to sleep till the morning. I was then told to go and take it to the Salvation Army. I thought COOOOOLL deal get rid of it, get rid of my empty pallets and then get the trailer
washed out. I don't know if it is me, but I despise procrastinaters.In fact it drives me bonkers. The Salvation Army wouldn't come and get the product so I had to find it on my own, with directions of course. It took them almost an hour to finally get someone out there to get the cases. I thought to myself can anyone else be any worse. I was wrong of course, the pallet bank wasn't so bad, but trying to understand spanish/english is real hard for me. I sure wish I had my spanish book and studied a little harder when I took the class in high school and college. I had noooo idea what he said, but luckily I got the pallets off my truck and headed to the T/A to get a washout. Ok no problem, I've been here many times I should have it down packed. Wrong!!!! I am circling the lot because I was trying to get a spot close to the washout. Here I am driving around like my head is cut off. Everytime I came closer to at least getting my trailer in one of the slots someone would snag it. Thank goodness I was still in a decent mood, considering I was already late to pick up the load. More like a day late, but my fm already knew that. So I get my trailer in a whole, get it washed out and off I go to the races. Now normally going 60 miles would take maybe a hour to and hour and a half. OHHHH no it had to take 3 hrs to get to Anheuser Bushe. Ok no problem I got there, gave them my pu number and off to the docks I go. I back in and with the help of another Willy driver I had no problem what so ever, (not that I needed help, he just knew I was having a bad day.) After I was
loaded I head back out the same way I came in. What took me 3 hrs to get to shipper, it only took me 1 1/2 hours to get back to Ontario. Pretty weird considering on my way back out was during rush hour, HMMMMM. So here I am in Mesquite and I really feel like gambling. What are my chances.
Stranger days must be coming...

Answer:
I'll let you all in on a little secret, don't listen to all drivers. My New York City and Queens ride was rather smooth for a first timer. I left Jersey t/s around midnight-one o'clock and headed on my way. All I am thinking on my adventure was "ughhh, what if I get lost?" or "what if someone tries to mess with me?" I got over GW Bridge, paid my toll and followed some other trucks on over to I95. First question that popped into my head was "do I need to take I87 south or can I catch my loop of I278?" Wrong, wrong and more wrong, I should have taken my I87s, but while I was to busy "awwwwing" at the bridges and everything I completely missed it. So I followed the trucks more. All of a sudden they disappear and I am going on a parkway of some sort. By now I am thinking, "I am such an idiot, here I am gawking at everything and I miss my turn." No worry though, a four wheeler SUV put his flashers on and guided me to a turn around. Thank goodness is all I had to say. So fortunately I found my way to I278 and went over the Verrazano (spelling) Bridge and got on I495 towards Mid Town Tunnel. I found my exit and proceeded down and came to the dead end that I needed to take the S curve to the right. Instead, I took it back to the left and ended right back at the I495. I'm sitting there on the side road, parked, scratching my head and reading the directions again. All that popped into my head was "DUH" I should have taken it to the right. So I got back on the road and took my first exit. Just out of pure luck I asked some driver who had his radio on if I could take it back to where I needed to go. Again, I am thinking thank goodness and he helped me get to where I was going. I turned on 2nd street and there sat Anheuser Bush. I probably sweated enough to make salt crystal form on my head, lmao. I checked in and sat till 7 am. I got unloaded and asked my FM if I could just get a load out of Jersey somewhere. I explained that I can deliver with hardly any problems in Long Island City and Queens, but I just need more time to get used to it. So I loaded out of ELizabeth and they gave me a 867 run to do over night. Honestly, I thought it would be worse. In fact, I wouldn't mind going back there. Maybe it's the challenge that I like so well. I know one thing is for sure, it definately builds character and puts hair on a chest.
P.S. Does this mean I am a bonified truck driver now?
Sweet Whiskey
I forgot to mention, the ride out of NYC and over Staten Island was easy. I mean there was a little traffic, but not nearly as much as I had expected. I never once got honked at or flipped the ol bird. I guess my first time there wasn't all that bad. Just don't be scared of going somewhere because of rumors. Try it once and if it is bad then don't go again.

Answer:
CHEER! So glad to hear you made it. I found the Long Island and Staten Island to be nothing real big either. The road right after ya pay the toll on the GW was something huh. Trainer had told me hold on with both hands and he sure was right.
The cool thing was after all was said and done, trainer said I didint need him there at all. Sure made me feel good. Today when he released me with the company he told them I liked NY which I did...the company says ohhh you will go there every week. I dont mind. But then mind you I did all highway driving so we shall see on the streets.
I am excited for you and how things are going. Please keep us posted on your adventures!

Answer:
I've noticed one thing about Willis Shaw.When you get a load out east, it's very hard to go anywhere else. Looks like I am going to be staying out east for sometime now. I don't mind it, but sometimes you just don't end up with good miles. The last two loads after my NYC affair equalled about 2100 miles. Now that is alright, but the second load is a Tyson load and when I checked in the shipper replied "when they get half the load ready, then we'll start to load you." I know these Tyson loads and IBP loads, when I hear those words it usually means that A: I'll be sitting here for 12-18 hours or B: I'll be sitting here for 18-24 hours. I have no idea how Tyson and IBP or Excell will change when the new HOS regulations take place. All I know is that if I am sitting here for that long I will not be able to move my truck and freight will be late. If I am reading it wrong then please let me know. Also, can someone give me a link to the HOS site. I just need to brush up on it a weee bit.
sweet whiskey
I started something pretty cool. I started buying postcards from all the states I've been to and sent them to my grandmother and nephews. My gramdmother is getting a kick out of some of the postcards and well I just need to make it to the few states I have not been to. Maybe someday I'll make it to the few that is on my list. It's a nice gesture and lets you remember your loved ones.
BTW, 1 year and still rolling with no accidents, no tickets and no DOT citations. I'm still loving it!

Answer:
Also, can someone give me a link to the HOS site.
Here ya go....
http://www.olblueusa.org/cdl&cmvSafetyInfoCenter/
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/Home_Files/revised_hos.asp

Answer:
This is my second year of snow driving. When I woke up this morning in PA I thought everything would be hunky dory. I was wrong of course, I am always wrong. I opened my curtains and took a long glance outside. My first thoughts were, "snow! snow! How am I going to drive in this?" I then got my thoughts together, remembered everything and then some that I did last year in Wyomming and Oregon. I started down the road and seen that the road was nicely glossed. WOOHOOO skating time in PA, just what I wanted to do 240 miles away from my drop in NY. I took it real slow and watched 4 wheelers and such going into the ditch. I thought to myself, "ok, ok I will not allow a car or suv to collide with me today." So I went 240 miles at 45-50 mph. Sometimes I even went slower, depending on the hill grades, the curves and other vehicles in front of me. I was very reluctant to drive to say the least. I have never driven my new truck in the snow. Luckily, me and my 3 legged dog truck have a great agreament. I treat it well, get the oil changed, tires aired, pm's done and it will go easy on me. I think the first snow of the season always gets to a person. I am constantly learning new things running in snow, sleet, ice, rain or dry weather. For instance, Virginia: do not take those hills for granted. At night those hills plays tricks on you and if your not careful you'll be looking in your mirrors and instead of seeing a truck behind you, you will be seeing your trailer blowing kisses at you. Oregon: Cabbage is a humdinger, those winding twisting curves and that nice large hill we all like to climb can be your friend or enemy. I always go at least 5 mph or less below the speed limit when it comes to a curves there. That is of course if the weather is decent. You never know what is on the other side of the curve and who or what is in your lane. Idaho: Fourth of July Pass!!! This is a pass I despise. Last year on the very top of it I got stuck. I had no where to go and was a foot or so away from a sand spread. I was pretty upset, but fortunately a road crew came by and helped me get out. I know one thing for sure, if the chain law is lifted, get out check the roads yourself. I wouldn't mind chaining up if I knew the chain law was lifted and the roads still looked crappy. I do have one major rule though, if it says chain law...NO GO.
/B

Answer:
I do have one major rule though, if it says chain law...NO GO.
Good rule to live by! If the roads are crappy enough to require the use of chains, I don't even think about getting out there. Extra sleep is a good thing.
Sounds like you've come a long way since Day One. Glad you're still happy trucking. Not many are after the first year or two.
Happy trails!
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
**************************
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
You dont sound crazy at all. I read all your posts with much interest. It helps hearing the days of another woman, and how you deal with things unique to us. Or even how you deal with some things as a woman new (congrats on your year btw) to driving a truck.
Please dont stop posting!
Stay safe!